Pampanga’s Best: Rainforest Kichene by Chef Vince Garcia

July 11, 2017August 5, 2017 / polamarilara / Leave a comment

Famous for its worldly and unrivaled culinary work, Pampanga proves to be on top as it continuously expands and produces more restaurants that offer authentic cuisines sought after by growing number of tourists and fellow Filipinos.

Kapampangans are known to be one of the best cooks in the Philippines. I had the chance to visit the province solely for food with my boyfriend and friends and first on our list is Rainforest Kichene by Chef Vince Garcia. The name lives up to the structure of the whole place with its pleasant and plant filled, close to nature concept with humid effect of the sprinklers by the entrance.

Tip ✔: You can book for an early reservation to avoid the hassle of waiting for available seats in case the restaurant’s full.

Since we’re in large group, we were directed in a small function hall-like area where we felt VIP as it looks private and classy.

The food we ordered were definitely worth the hours of travel, all hands down to Chef Vince Garcia. The dishes were very sophisticated, colors complimenting each other, balanced flavors and textures, and tasted above our expectations. The menu might be a little pricey, but the dishes are served in big portions and are good for sharing. Must tries are their Organic Salad (with sweet edible real flowers), Seafood Paella (one of the best!), Spicy Sausage Pasta, Seafood Pasta, Garlic Shrimp Pasta and Grilled Tuna. They also serve blue rice, which is very cute! ♡

Special shout out to these special people who were very supportive that time as I took snaps of the whole experience! Here’s our group shot with Chef Vince Garcia:

Rainforest Kichene is open for walk-ins, private dining reservations and catering services. Checkout what they offer and contact information at http://rainforestkichene.com/.

Happy eating!!! ♡

Dubai: Jumeirah Beach and Souk Madinat

May 21, 2017May 24, 2017 / polamarilara / 1 Comment

First stop in Dubai: Jumeirah.

Jumeirah beach is perfect for surfing and paddle boarding. By 10 minute walk, you can rent surfboards and paddle boards as well as buy other surfing merchandise. It is also the best location to take a good photo of Burj Al Arab, one of Dubai’s famous landmarks and most voted as world’s luxurious hotel.

Well, water sports are not for me, so I was all happy posing and taking photos by the beach. Lol!!!

Souk Madinat Jumeirah is a combination of classy and ancient marketplace for shopping, dining and other sorts of entertainment. Best time to go there would be early morning, just when shops are about to open, to get a better view and avoid the typical time where most tourists crowd in.

You can get the Aladdin’s ‘Arabian niiight ~ ‘ vibe (if you know what I mean) all throughout the area. Lots of items perfect for souvenirs (some are gold plated) are sold by shops in which you can haggle and get discounts (on some), and restaurants of different cuisines and cafes to choose from.

Went there last January and its giant Christmas tree display was still there at the center.

Clear emerald green water surrounding the whole place in which you can take a tour by riding an Abra, a boat ride which is Dubai’s popular mode of transportation.

Souk Madinat is simply breathtaking! Added bonus was the overview of Burj Al Arab blending through the Souk’s structure. I was actually amazed that this place exists! Dubai having lots of amusement parks and other thrilling adventures makes this the best choice to chill and shop at the end of your itinerary.

Special shoutout to my sister who was with me all throughout my trip! ♡

There you go! More blogs about Dubai will be published soon! I’ll be glad to help you with your questions and hope you leave some love too! ♡

The Best Comfort Food: Crazy Good Ice Creams in Seoul

November 19, 2016May 24, 2017 / polamarilara / Leave a comment

I know I’m not helping with your diet plans, but I can’t help it! I’m a sucker for sweets and as Seoul offers the best and cute desserts, I wouldn’t miss trying out different ice cream I can eat while I’m on the trip. Well, I went there last October, and apparently that month wasn’t the best time for cold desserts because it’s in fall season, but you know as they say, the best time for ice cream is anytime. ♡

1. Milky Bee

Popular for its rose shaped ice cream, this shop never runs out of customers. I tried one in Myeong-dong which is located below the restaurant we ate lunch at, very easy to find once you stroll around the area.

You can choose 2 or 3 flavors for the ice cream. 3 flavored costs KRW 6,000.

2. Kiss My Tiramisu

Located beside Line Friends Store in Hongdae, Kiss My Tiramisu sells ice cream with tiramisu cake placed in a classy wine glass. It’s a kiosk type and the ice cream can be eaten on the go! ♡

This ice cream costs KRW 4,900.

3. Line Friends Store & Cafe

My favorite store to visit when I’m in Seoul. I just love the Line Friends characters, especially Brown! I actually never exit the store without buying anything, be it an item or food (will be posting separately for this). Their desserts are just too cute to eat! ♡

Visit Line Cafe in Sinsa-dong. They also have Cony (bunny) version for their ice cream. This costs KRW 3,800.

4. Remicone

We’ve been all familiar with fancy and pastel colored cotton candy on ice cream. Well, Remicone serves the opposite, bringing rocker vibe on your cup!

Their best seller, Thunder Bomb ↑, and their Halloween special, Devil Bomb ↓, costs KRW 6,100 each. Best eaten when mixed together. ♡

5. Footlong Soft Serve Ice Cream

Perfect for big eaters. I ate one from Myeong-dong as I got curious that despite the cold weather, customer line was long (and it never runs out everytime I pass by it). They have different flavors mixed with vanilla ice cream sold for about KRW 2,000 – KRW 2,500.

6. Ice Cream Waffle

Tired of typical ice cream cones? Try ones with waffle. You can buy one along Myeong-dong. The stalls start their business in the afternoon where different street foods are sold. I tried one with fish shaped waffle and honeycomb which costs KRW 4,000. Yum!

7. Ice Factory

Located in front of Lotte World entrance, this ice cream kiosk sells cute ice cream bars.

This Crunch Chocolate ice cream bar costs KRW 4,000.

8. GODIVA

Save the best for last. This premium chocolate brand is now in an ice cream! The ultimate solution for that time of the day when you crave chocolate so bad.

This Double Chocolate Raspberry and Rose ice cream is so good you won’t be satisfied with just one ♡. It costs KRW 6,300.

Happy eating! ♡

Seoul Cafe Guide for Food Lovers

November 17, 2016May 24, 2017 / polamarilara / Leave a comment

Hi there! I previously blogged about dessert cafe must-tries in Samcheong-dong, and you don’t think that that’s the end of it right? Lol! There would be lots and lots of cafe suggestions you will encounter when you’re trying to search for one, which can’t be helped, given that there are no exact and right places to visit in Seoul, only options for you to try.

Koreans are known to be dessert and coffee lovers. They seemed to have no limit in their imagination, that even though there are countless cafes everywhere in Seoul, each caters unique style and creativeness. They just don’t serve sweets, they serve breads too! What I also love is how their food tastes the same with how they look, delicious! ✩

Here are some I went to during my trip:

1. Hello Kitty Cafe

Great start, isn’t it? ♡

Who doesn’t love Hello Kitty? This popular character has been taking the hearts of women of all ages by storm and now to another level with food. Designed with stuffed toys, ribbons, pink and red interiors, dessert lovers will be all giddy seeing it, just like me. It is located in different branches, I tried ones that are in Sinchon and Myeong-dong.

Myeong-dong branch has a girlier feel with its all pink interiors, chandeliers, flowers and cute wallpapers.

Total cost for the apple tart and coffee is KRW 8,000.

Sinchon branch has a homey feel to it.

Prices are: Croque Monsieur (KRW 6,000), Choco Harmony Mousse cake (KRW 11, 000), Tiramisu (KRW 5, 500), Caramel Latte(KRW 5, 000) and Cookies & Cream Crunch (KRW 6, 500).

They also have space for customers to shop through variety of Hello Kitty items.

The interior of every cafe is so different with each other that will make you curious what each would look like (which I spoiled 2 of them by the way, Lol!). But nonetheless, very eye candy and worthy to be #1 on the list!

2. Snob

I accidentally saw this while strolling the streets. It was lightly raining, the wind kept on blowing and it was late October, so imagine how cold that day was! Lol!

The cafe exterior looks great (my kind of taste) and it was pretty crowded inside so I assumed that their menu was pretty tasty (which was a YES when we got our order).

You can order through their list of cakes, and redirect you on the 2nd floor to order drinks. Payment can be settled before you leave. I ordered Lava cake and Iced Vanilla Latte despite the cold weather, must be crazy. Lol!

Lava cake and Vanilla Latte total cost is KRW 11, 300.

How to get there → get off Sangsu Station Line 6 Exit #2. Turn Right and walk straight. The cafe is located at your left side.

3. Cafe Ginkgo Avenue

Purple is probably one of my least favorite color, then I saw this cafe. Along the streets of Sinsa-dong, Ginkgo Avenue is located at the 2nd floor of a building with striking purple and floral exterior. Customers can eat inside or out in the balcony.

They use Häagen-Dazs ice cream for the waffle and you can choose what flavor you like. Total cost was KRW 18,000.

4. Cafe de Paris

The name itself tells it all, the sleek interior is full of miniature Eiffel towers and other vintage decors. Tried the one located at the busiest district Myeong-dong, the cafe was pretty crowded and it occupies 2nd and 3rd floors.

Chocolate Mousse costs KRW 5,500, Vanilla Latte and Cafe Mocha cost KRW 5,500 each.

5. Passion 5

This seriously was my first time getting confused on what dessert to choose! Located at Itaewon, Passion 5 is like the king of all dessert cafes! I have heard alot about it and know that it is popular in Seoul, but seeing it in person really proved it. They serve like a hundred kinds of breads and pastries, from cakes to tarts to eclairs and everything! The concept is like buffet style where you’re free to pick what you like in a tray and pay it at the cashier when you’re finished choosing. I didn’t take pictures on how the store looks inside, which I regret badly! What I also regret was that I didn’t order any chocolate and I don’t know how did that happen (Lol! I’ll update this post when I get back there). The interior looks high-end and each dessert is of high quality, look and taste wise (pricey though).

Total cost for these cakes is KRW 22, 300 and Cafe Latte is KRW 9,000.

How to get there → get off Hangang-jin station Exit#3. Walk straight, you’ll be able to see a huge “red bird” in front of a building to your left, that’s where it is located.

6. Thanks Nature Cafe

Swarming with young crowd as it is located in Hongdae, this cafe lets its customers feel somehow close to nature by having live sheeps outside.

Croque Monsieur is KRW 5,000 each and Mint Chocolate Frappucino costs KRW 6,000.

How to get there → get off Hongik Univ Station Line 2 Exit#9. Turn left at the first intersection and walk towards the University’s main gate.

7. Artisée Cafe Deli Pattiserie

You can check this cafe when you’re in COEX mall. It opens early and serves breads and pastries perfect for breakfast.

Classic Salad bread is KRW 4,600, Cheese Sausage bread is 4,800 and Vanilla Latte is KRW 5,500.

Finally done with my third post! I’m so happy to share with you that my previous posts gain lots of love which makes me more motivated to do better and hope you, my dear readers, would look forward to the next ones. Thank you and happy eating! ♡

Explore Samcheong-dong

November 7, 2016May 24, 2017 / polamarilara / 2 Comments

I know a lot of you are curious on places worthy of visiting when you’re in Seoul aside from the popular ones, so here’s one you don’t wanna miss: Samcheong-dong! ✩. I’m a huge Running Man fan, so I made a list of the show’s previous shooting locations and apparently, this place is included. I have no regret going since it literally became my happy place, and like to recommend it if you want to enjoy food and shopping without any hassle of it being crowded.

Here’s how you can get there → take the Seoul subway line 3 and get off Anguk Station Exit #1. After taking the exit stairs, turn right and walk straight until you reach the corner street then turn right again. Walk straight through the path between the stone walls.

I just love the combination of autumnal weather and long walks (playing a korean ballad song on my mind).

And what I love more in Samcheong-dong is it’s ‘straight out of magazine’ like shops, which caters unique variety of goods and crafts, that whatever side you look at is picture/instagram worthy.

Especially this flower shop, ‘Madang‘, you see first at the end of stone wall path.

Lovely, aren’t they? Here’s how it looks like when sun’s out.

Now back to the directions, you’ll see an intersection if you continue walking. Just cross the street and walk straight until Kiehl’s store.

You can turn left to explore more shops (Moonshot has cosmetics on 1st floor and YG artists’ items on 2nd floor),

or see murals straight ahead.

Aside from unique clothes, accessories and other crafts, Samcheong-dong is dessert haven. While it is famous for it’s classy Hanok (traditional korean houses) cafes, it also has lots of fancy as well as nature themed cafes for you to choose from. I got confused on what to try first, every coffee/dessert lover’s problem, so I set a separate day just for cafe hopping (which I’ll be posting after this). ♡

I also stopped by this shop that sells unique home decors at a very affordable price. I bought coffee, sugar and milk containers as per mom’s request. Too bad that this was not in my shopping list so I skipped buying for myself and promised to be back to buy items for my work space.

Tip ✔: There are stores that offer great discount, and they tend to lower the price a little more if you’re their first customer. This applies not only here in Samcheong-dong but in other districts as well.

Samcheong-dong is too big to cover all the shops and cafes, but I definitely recommend it in your Seoul itinerary, since the ambiance is so relaxing. Hope what I shared was helpful. Happy eating aaaaand shopping! ♡